Ontario Left Turn Rules Explained (2026)
Left turns are one of the most common sources of errors on Ontario road tests — and one of the most misunderstood rules for new drivers. This guide covers everything: intersections, advanced greens, yielding, and exactly what examiners watch for.
Based on the official Ontario Driver's Handbook and real DriveTest scenarios. Updated 2026.
Left Turns at Intersections
A left turn in Ontario requires more than just turning the wheel. You must position correctly, yield appropriately, signal in advance, and turn into the right lane. Each of these is assessed on the road test.
Signal at least 30 metres before the intersection
Turn on your left signal well in advance. Late signalling is a minor error on the road test.
Move to the leftmost lane (or left turn lane)
Position your vehicle in the correct lane before reaching the intersection. Do not change lanes in the intersection.
Check mirrors and do a shoulder check
Before entering the intersection, check your mirrors and do a left shoulder check. Examiners watch for this.
Move into the intersection on green
Advance into the intersection past the stop line to wait for a gap in oncoming traffic. This is correct and expected.
Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
Wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic. Also check for pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into.
Turn into the nearest left lane
Complete the turn into the closest lane on the left side — not the far lane. Turning wide is a common error.
Cancel your signal
After completing the turn, ensure your signal is cancelled. Leaving it on is a minor error.
Advanced Green Lights
What is an Advanced Green?
An advanced green is a green arrow (flashing or solid) that appears before the regular green light phase. During this time, left-turning vehicles have the right of way — oncoming traffic is held at a red light.
Flashing green arrow: You have right of way to turn left. Oncoming traffic is stopped.
Solid green arrow: Same as flashing — you have right of way. Turn confidently.
Arrow ends → regular green: Right of way ends. You must now yield to oncoming traffic before turning.
Common Left Turn Mistakes
Turning wide into the far lane
Fix: Always turn into the nearest left lane. Think of the centre line as your guide.
Not yielding to pedestrians
Fix: Check the crosswalk on the road you are turning into. Pedestrians have right of way.
Turning on a regular green without yielding
Fix: A green light is not a right of way for left turns. You must yield to oncoming traffic.
Not moving into the intersection to wait
Fix: Advance into the intersection on green to wait for a gap. Staying behind the line blocks traffic.
Forgetting to signal
Fix: Signal at least 30 metres before the intersection and keep it on until the turn is complete.
Confusing advanced green with regular green
Fix: An arrow = right of way. A round green = yield to oncoming traffic.
What Examiners Look For
- ✓Signal turned on at least 30 metres before the intersection
- ✓Correct lane position before and during the turn
- ✓Visible shoulder check before entering the intersection
- ✓Advancing into the intersection to wait (not blocking behind the line)
- ✓Yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- ✓Turning into the nearest left lane — not swinging wide
- ✓Signal cancelled after completing the turn
Practice Quiz
5 QuestionsAt a regular green light, when turning left, you must:
Frequently Asked Questions
When must you yield on a left turn in Ontario?
You must yield to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into before completing a left turn — even when you have a green light. The green light gives you permission to enter the intersection, not to turn without yielding.
What is an advanced green light in Ontario?
An advanced green (a flashing green arrow or solid green arrow) gives left-turning vehicles the right of way. Oncoming traffic has a red light during this phase. You may turn left without yielding to oncoming traffic. When the advanced green ends and a regular green appears, you must yield again.
Can you turn left on a red light in Ontario?
Yes, but only in one specific situation: turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. You must come to a complete stop first and yield to pedestrians and any traffic with the right of way.
What happens if you are in the intersection waiting to turn left and the light turns red?
You must complete the turn. Once you have entered the intersection on a green light, you are permitted to complete the turn even if the light changes to amber or red. Oncoming traffic must stop for the red light.
Do I need to signal when turning left?
Yes. You must signal your intention to turn left at least 30 metres before the intersection. Keep the signal on until you complete the turn.
What is the most common left turn mistake on the G2 test?
The most common mistake is turning into the wrong lane — swinging wide and ending up in the far lane instead of the nearest left lane. The second most common is not yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk on the road you are turning into.
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